System and method for treating contaminated water

ABSTRACT

A water treatment system including a filter, an aerator, a hydrogen absorption manifold, a first treatment container, a second treatment container, a magnetron, a boiler, a superheater, a fractional distillation separator and a condenser. The filter is adapted for removing chloride ions and transmutated chlorine ions, while the hydrogen absorptive manifold is designed for absorbing hydrogen ions and reducing the pH of the water. The magnetron alters the spin of an electron in an outer shell of an atom contained in the water so that a solution added to the water coats selective elements causing them to precipitate from the water. The boiler and superheater may be utilized to convert the water to a superheated steam, while the fractional distillation separator is adapted for condensing and separating elements, including radioactive elements, from the superheated steam. A method for treating contaminated water using the water treatment system is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,005 filed on Mar. 13, 2014, toWayne R. Hawks entitled “System and Method for Treating ContaminatedWater,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/881,061, filed onSep. 23, 2013, to Wayne R. Hawks entitled “System and Method forTreating Fracturing Water,” currently pending, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) is a well-known process utilized bythe oil and gas industry to create and enlarge fractures in undergroundshale formations. The fractures allow oil and natural gas to move morefreely through the shale formations and ultimately flow to the surface.In the fracking process, explosions are set off to create the fracturesand then high-pressure fluid is injected into the well in order toperpetuate the fracturing and hold the fractures open.

The fracturing fluid is typically comprised of water containing aproppant and chemical solution mixed therein. The fracturing fluid isoften composed of between about 98-99.5% water and sand with theadditional chemical solution accounting for about 0.5-2%. The waterincludes, in significant part, freshwater that must be transported tothe well site by tanker truck or piping. The proppant, which is oftensand or a similar material, is used to keep the fractures from closingafter the injection has stopped. The chemical solution includes avariety of additives having dosage rates that vary with the location andcondition of the specific well. These additives may include, but are notlimited to, acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid), corrosion inhibitors (e.g.,alcohols, organic acids, polymers, sodium salt, glycol and amide), ironcontrol chemicals (e.g., sodium compounds and citric acid),antibacterial agents, biocides (e.g., gluteraldhyde, alcohols, sodiumsalt, sodium hydroxide and bromide salt), scale inhibitors (e.g.,alcohols, organic acids, polymers, sodium salt, glycol and amide),friction reducers (e.g., polymers, hydrocarbons and water solublepolymers), surfactants (e.g., alcohols, glycols and hydrocarbons),gelling agents (e.g., guar gum, hydrocarbons and polymers), breakers(e.g., ammonium persulfate, sodium and potassium salts) and crosslinkers(e.g., polyol and borax).

The fracking process typically requires between about one million andfive million gallons of water or more per well. A portion of the waterthat is injected into the well returns to the surface as “flowbackwater.” While the flowback water returns to the surface over a period ofthree to four weeks, most of the flowback water returns within the firstseven to ten days. The volume of recovery is generally between about20-60% of the volume that was initially injected into the well. The restof the fluid is absorbed in the shale formation. At a certain point,there is a transition from primarily recovering flowback water toprimarily recovering “produced water,” which is water naturallyoccurring in the shale formation that flows to the surface over the lifeof the well.

Upon returning to the surface and exiting the well, the flowback waterand produced water is generally collected in tanks, open pools orlagoons located near the well. From there, the flowback water andproduced water is pumped into tanker trucks and transported from thewell site to a deep disposal well where the water is placed back intothe ground. Each disposal well typically costs several million dollarsto drill and maintain. Disposal wells can additionally createenvironmental and water source contamination concerns.

The flowback water and produced water is typically contaminated withman-made and naturally-occurring substances. The water is contaminatedwith the spent chemicals that are mixed into the fracking water prior toits injection into the well, as discussed above. The water is alsocontaminated with naturally-occurring substances residing below theEarth's surface. For example, the water may have elevated levels ofKjeldahl nitrogen, petroleum residue, sodium, ammonia, chloride,sulfate, chloride sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride,barium, strontium, boron, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene,glycols, 2-butoxyethanol, radionuclides such as radium isotopes (e.g.,radium-226 and radium-228), uranium-238 and lead-210 and other naturallyoccurring radioactive material (“NORM”) found in the shale formations.Additionally, some scientists believe that the explosions occurringduring the fracturing of the shale formation set off chain reactionsthat result in the creation of radioactive material in addition to theNORM already present in the shale formations.

In order for the flowback water and the produced water to be reused asfracturing water or discharged to the environment, it must first betreated. As such, a need exists for a system and method for treatingcontaminated flowback water and produced water such that it can bereused and the cost and environmental concerns resulting from thedisposal wells can be eliminated. A particular need exists for a systemand method for removing radioactive materials from flowback water andproduced water. A further need exists for a system that isself-contained and is mobile between well sites and may be scaled up ordown depending upon the amount and quality of the water to be treated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a water treatmentsystem that includes a filter, an aerator, a hydrogen absorptionmanifold, a first treatment container, a second treatment container, amagnetron, a boiler, a superheater, a fractional distillation separatorand a condenser.

The filter can be in the form of a filter compartment having a materialtherein suitable for removing chloride ions and transmutated chlorineions from water passing through the system and also absorbing neutronsfrom the water. The material may comprise a first filter materialsuitable for removing chloride ions and a second filter materialsuitable for absorbing neutrons. The first filter material can compriseat least one of coconut carbon, silicon dioxide and ionized sand. Thesecond filter material can comprise at least one of cadmium and bismuth.The aerator is suitable for oxygenating the water and may be located atan exit end of the filter compartment.

The hydrogen absorptive manifold is designed for absorbing hydrogen ionsand reducing the pH of the water. The absorptive manifold may beconstructed of an outer tube surrounding an inner plate or tube having aplurality of fins extending therefrom. The fins can be constructed fromgold, silver, palladium, nickel, zinc, tin, indium and/or copper. Thefins may also be adapted for altering at least one of a phosphate, asalt, a nitrite and a nitrate from a reactive form to a nonreactiveform. The absorptive manifold may further include an electromagnet forcontrolling electromagnetic radiation.

The first treatment container, which may be in the form of a concretecontainment basin, is in fluid communication with the absorptivemanifold. The first container may include a voltage accelerator, such asa P dope N dope voltage accelerator, for inducing a charge in the water.The voltage accelerator may include a positively charged plate and anegatively charged plate submerged in the water within the firstcontainer. The first container may also include first pollutantcollection substrate contained in a hanging bag which may includesilicon dioxide, calcium carbonate and/or cadmium. An oil snout mayfurther be included in the first container for capturing oil and benzenemolecules from the water. The second treatment container, which may alsobe in the form of a concrete containment basin, is in fluidcommunication with the first container and may include a screen thereinthat includes at least one of nickel and calcium carbonate.

The magnetron may be adapted for altering the spins of electrons in theouter shells of atoms of contaminants contained in the water beingtreated. In one embodiment, the magnetron includes a clear plastic tubeor pipe passing through or adjacent to a microwave generating device.The application of microwaves generated by the magnetron can alter theangular momentums of the electrons in the outer shells of the atoms ofcontaminants contained in the water. It will be appreciated that themagnetron may reverse a spin of the electrons in the outer shells of theatoms contained in the water. In that regard, upon being subjected tomicrowaves in the magnetron, a spin of an electron that is originally anup spin (m_(s) of +1/2) is reversed to a down spin (m_(s) of −1/2), anda spin of an electron that is originally a down spin (m_(s) of −1/2) isreversed to an up spin (m_(s) of +1/2). The alteration or reversal inelectron spin enables selective elements to be coated, at leastpartially, with a solution so that such elements may be precipitatedfrom the water. A port can be located adjacent (e.g., downstream) of themagnetron, the port being operable for permitting a solution to be addedthe water after the water has passed through the magnetron. The solutionmay comprise at least one of an acidic solution of ethyl diamine,tetra-acidic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid,lemon juice, orange juice, and/or lime juice. As set forth above, itwill be understood that the solution can cause contaminants toprecipitate from the water.

In one embodiment, the system includes a heater comprised of a boilerand a superheater. The boiler may be adapted for converting the waterinto a saturated steam, while the superheater can be designed to convertthe saturated steam to a superheated steam. The superheated steam may bedirected to a fractional distillation separator configured forcondensing elements, including radioactive elements, by atomic massunits. The fractional distillation separator includes a plurality ofinternal plates, each having an aperture defined therethrough. Extendingupwardly from each aperture may be a pipe that is topped with adome-shaped cap configured for condensing elements by atomic mass units.The condensed elements may flow from the fractional distillationseparator via apertures defined in an outer shell adjacent the caps. Thesystem may further include a condenser in fluid communication with anoutlet of the fractional distillation separator for condensing the steamflowing from the fractional distillation separator.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method fortreating contaminated water including the steps of: collectingcontaminated water, filtering the water to remove hydrogen ions,directing the water through an absorptive manifold to absorb hydrogenions and removal of neutrons and inducing a charge in the water with avoltage accelerator.

The method may also include the steps of: passing the water through amagnetron device and adding a solution to the water thereafter forcoating selective elements with the solution so that such elements willprecipitate from the water. The method may also include the steps of:boiling the water to create saturated steam, heating the saturated steamto convert the saturated steam to a superheated steam, introducing thesuperheated steam to a fractional distillation separator, separatingcontaminants from the superheated steam in the fractional distillationseparator and condensing the steam upon discharge from the fractionaldistillation separator.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andthe accompanying drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numeralsare used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a system for treating contaminatedwater in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a system for treating contaminatedwater in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of a clarifier and anabsorptive manifold for reducing the pH of water in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic sectional side view of an absorptive manifold forreducing the pH of water in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic sectional end view of an absorptive manifold forreducing the pH of water in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a superheater component for a system fortreating contaminated water in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fractional distillation column for asystem for treating contaminated water in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a sectional side view of a condensing unit in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a sectional end view of a condensing unit in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an overhead schematic layout of a multiple drilling siteoperation including a central water treatment plant in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an overhead schematic layout of a multiple drilling siteoperation including a central water treatment plant in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristicsof the present invention, proportional relationships of the elementshave not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will beunderstood that some of the drawing figures depict a working,batch-scale, pilot embodiment. As set forth below, the water treatmentsystem of the present invention can be scaled up to meet the throughputrequirements associated with treating contaminated water in variouslarge-scale scenarios.

The following detailed description of the invention references specificembodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments areintended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Otherembodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The present invention isdefined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not tobe taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The entire disclosures of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/627,765, filed on Sep. 26, 2012 to Wayne R. Hawks entitled“Self-Container Irrigation Treatment System” and U.S. application Ser.No. 13/219,080, filed on Aug. 26, 2011 to Wayne R. Hawks entitled“Self-Container Irrigation Treatment System” are incorporated herein byreference. The terms “contaminated water” and “water,” when usedindependently of any adjectives herein, shall refer to either one or allof fracking water, flowback water, produced water or other contaminatedwater treated by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 generally illustrate one embodiment of the system 10 ofthe present invention, which may optionally be contained within one ormore mobile semi-trailers 12. Alternatively, the system 10 may bestationary or may be transportable through various other modes,including but not limited to, trucks, trains, planes, boats and barges.

As illustrated, the system 10 is normally located adjacent a source ofcontaminated water 14, which may come directly from a well or may becontained within one or more tanks, barrels, open pools, lagoons orponds near the well. The source of water 14 may include fracking water,flowback water, produced water, water used in coal production and dustcontrol, water used in coal-fired power plants, water used in nuclearpower plants, water from contaminated reservoirs, ponds, rivers andstreams or any other source of contaminated water. A pump 16 may beprovided to transport the contaminated water into the system 10. Inother embodiments, the system 10 can be positioned at a location havingan elevation lower than that of the contaminated water so that thecontaminated water may flow into the system 10 via gravity.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the system 10 may include a filter orclarifier 18 comprising a tapered canister or filter compartment 20 thatcontains coconut carbon (i.e., activated carbon made from coconutshells), ionized silicon dioxide (i.e, SiO₂ or sand) and/or cadmium (Cd)for removing chloride and transmutated chlorine ions (Cl⁻) and absorbingany neutrons. The cadmium acts as a neutron absorber and the sand, whichis silicon dioxide, ties up chlorine ions. In one embodiment, multiplesources of water may, either simultaneously or independently, flow intothe clarifier 18 through a plurality of spouts. These sources of watermay include, but are not limited to, fracking water, flowback water,produced water, processed water or water from any other source. The flowfrom each of these sources may be controlled at different rates in orderto achieve a consistency of water required for processing by the system10.

In one embodiment, the clarifier 18 may divided into three sections—anupper section 152, a middle section 154 and a lower section 156—definedby dividers 158 that may be constructed from a stainless steel meshmaterial, for example.

As shown, the upper section 152 of the clarifier 18 comprises one ormore substrate bags 160 having coconut carbon therein. The bags 160 withcoconut carbon may be located around an exterior of the upper section152. One or more bags 162 containing ionized silicon dioxide may belocated at an interior of the upper section 152 for absorbing chlorineions and slowing neutron action. Finally, one or more bags 164containing graphite, which acts as a moderator, may be located betweenthe bags 160 of coconut carbon and bags 162 of ionized silicon dioxide.

As depicted, a substrate bag 166 containing cadmium is located in themiddle section 154 of the clarifier 18. The cadmium, which acts as aneutron absorber, can be arranged in a plurality of layers within thebag 166.

As illustrated, the lower section 156 of the clarifier 18 includes asheet 168 of gold (Au), a sheet 170 of bismuth (Bi) and a sheet 172 ofsilver (Ag). The gold sheet 168 is non-reactive to neutrons and allowsneutrons to pass therethrough. Any neutrons that are not absorbed by thecadmium in the middle section 154 may be absorbed by the sheet 170 ofbismuth in the lower section 156. Over time, the sheet 170 of bismuthwill convert to polonium. The polonium will then transmutate into lead,which is stable.

When the water exits the clarifier 18, it may enter a hydrogenabsorptive manifold 174 adapted for absorbing hydrogen ions and reducingthe pH of the water. The hydrogen absorptive manifold 174 can be placeddownstream of and in communication with an exit end 24 of the filtercompartment 20. In one embodiment, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, themanifold 174 includes a generally vertical section 176 and a generallyhorizontal section 178.

The vertical section 176 of the manifold 174 may include an outer pipe180, which may be formed of copper (Cu) or other suitable material,surrounding an inner plate or tube 182, which also may be formed ofcopper or other suitable material. A plurality of gold fins 184 and aplurality of palladium (Pd) fins 186 can extend from the inner plate ortube 182 within an interior of the manifold 174. The outer copper pipe180 may be effective for absorbing and concentrating hydrogen ions ontothe palladium fins 186.

The horizontal section 178 of the manifold 174 may comprise an outerpipe 28, which may be formed of copper or other suitable material,surrounding an inner plate or tube 30, which also may be formed ofcopper or other suitable material. The inner plate or tube 30 may be atube cut in half having a length generally equivalent to that of theouter pipe 28. A plurality of fins 32 can extend from the inner plate ortube 30. The fins 32 can be constructed of one or more of variousmaterials, for example, gold, silver, palladium, nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn),tin (Sn), indium (In), bismuth and copper. The fins 32 serve as hydrogenion (H+) absorbers to reduce the pH in the contaminated water. In oneembodiment, the pH of the water is reduced to below 7.0, preferablybetween about 6.4 and 6.8, in the manifold, which helps to preventcalcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) fromprecipitating out and collecting on the fins 32 thereby allowing thefins to remain clean for transforming reactive pollutants into stableions and compounds. The fins 32 can also act to change or alterphosphates, salts, nitrites, nitrates and other reactive pollutingcontaminants from a reactive form to a nonreactive form. Further, thefins 32 may act as a catalyst to increase soluble oxygen in the water,which causes anaerobic bacteria to be destroyed, as anaerobic bacteriacannot survive in an increased oxygen supply in water. Therefore, withthe increased oxygen, the anaerobic bacteria are prevented from growingand proliferating, which could have an adverse effect on the chemicalprocessing of a frack well. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A, one ormore ferromagnets 188 may be arranged within the horizontal pipe 30 inorder to attract ferromagnetic elements. By stabilizing the magneticspin of electrons at the atomic level, the spinning electrons in theM_(s) orbital subshell may be controlled. In achieving this stability,the M_(s) subshell may be altered when the water is introduced into a Pdope N dope voltage accelerator, as discussed in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, at least part of the manifold174, for example the horizontal section 178, may include anelectromagnet 34 in order to control electronmagnetic radiation. In oneembodiment, for example in a batch-scale, pilot embodiment, the outertube 28 is a 4-inch Type M copper pipe and the electromagnet 34 isattached to the inside of a 3-inch one half pipe at the highestpollution level water line. In this embodiment, the plate 30 can be a3-inch diameter Type M copper pipe of generally equivalent length cut inhalf, as shown in FIGS. 3-4B.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen absorptive manifold 174 may comprisemultiple vertically-stacked, perforated plates of various materials, forexample, gold, silver, palladium, nickel, zinc, tin, indium, bismuth andcopper. In one embodiment, the plates are constructed of thin sheets ofgold, silver and bismuth. The plates may be contained in a pipeconstructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other suitable material. Theperforations in the various plates are not necessarily aligned with oneanother, in one embodiment, such that the water is required to flowacross each plate as it is transferred through the hydrogen absorptivemanifold 174. The plates can be adapted for replacement on a periodicbasis.

An aerator 22 may be placed adjacent the exit end 24 of the filtercompartment 20 in order to oxygenate the water as it flows from theclarifier 18.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 can include a firstcontainer 36, such as a concrete containment basin (CCB) or othersuitable barrel or tank, that has a P dope N dope voltage accelerator orregulator 38 associated therewith. The first container 36 is in fluidcommunication with the hydrogen absorptive manifold 174. After passingthrough the manifold 174, the water may then be directed to the firstcontainer 36. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the voltage accelerator 38 maycomprise a positively-charged cathode 40 connected to apositively-charged plate 42 and a negatively-charged anode 44 connectedto a negatively-charged plate 46. The plates 42 and 46 are submerged inthe water located in the first container 36 to induce a low voltage DCcurrent through the water. The charge may be either 6V or 12V and havean amperage of 2, 10, 40 or 200 amperes, for example. By creating acharge on the dielectric constant, electrons are moved from one level toanother in order to alter the atomic structure of each element and alterelectron interaction. Optionally, light of various frequencies (and thusvarious colors) may be emitted into the water in container 36. In oneembodiment, an ultraviolet light emitting device is located proximatethe bottom of the container 36 and a red light emitting device islocated proximate the top of the container 36.

The first container 36 can also include a filter 48 which may be in theform of a hanging bag containing pollutant collection substrates such assilicon dioxide (SiO₂), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and cadmium (Cd) toabsorb chloride ions (Cl⁻) and neutrons, including neutrons of barium(Ba). The container 36 may further comprise an oil snout 50 inconnection with its discharge orifice or port 52, as shown in FIG. 1. Aswater passes through the oil snout 50, the oil snout 50 separates andcaptures oil and benzene (C₆H₆) molecules from the water. The oil andbenzene collected by the oil snout 50 may be diverted to a container orbarrel (not shown) and stored for later transportation, disposal orreuse.

A second container 54, such as a CCB or other suitable barrel or tank,may be provided downstream of and in fluid communication with the firstcontainer 36. Upon exiting the first container 36, the water may thenpass in the second container 54. The second container 54 can include astainless steel screen filter 56 through which the water passes forabsorption separation and/or filtration of bacteria. The screen filter56 may further comprise a variety of elements and compounds, such asnickel (Ni) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Additionally, the secondcontainer 54 may also include another filter (not shown) which, likefilter 48, may be in the form of a hanging bag containing pollutantcollection substrates such as silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate andcadmium to absorb chloride ions and neutrons, including neutrons ofbarium. Furthermore, the second container 54 can also include seashellslocated therein.

From the second container 54, the water can be directed through amagnetron 190. The magnetron 190 generates a magnetic field whichinteracts with polluting elements in the water as it passes through themagnetron 190. The magnetron 190 may comprise a clear plastic pipe ortube 192 passing either through or adjacent to a microwave generatingdevice of the magnetron 190. The tube 190 directs water through oradjacent to the microwave generating device. By bombarding the atoms ofcontaminants within the water with microwaves, the magnetron 190 altersthe intrinsic angular momentum of the electrons in the outer orsubatomic shell or subshell of those atoms. In other words, themagnetron 190 alters the fourth quantum number (i.e., spin projectionquantum number, m₅) of the electrons in the outer or subatomic shell ofthose atoms. Prior to being subjected to the microwaves, those electronshave an initial spin of either +1/2 or −1/2, corresponding with “spin”(i.e., “spin up”) and “opposite spin” (i.e., “spin down”), respectivelydue to Pauli's exclusion principle. The magnetron 190 alters those spinsand, in one embodiment, reverses those spins. As such, in oneembodiment, electrons having an initial up spin (i.e., m_(s) of +1/2)are reversed to a down spin (i.e., m_(s) of −1/2). Similarly, electronshaving an initial down spin (i.e., m_(s) of −1/2) are reversed to an upspin (i.e., m_(s) of +1/2). With this alteration in spin, chemicals canbe added to the water in the return tank 60 resulting in theprecipitation of certain elements and contaminants in the water. Themanipulation in spin allows for the coating of certain elements, whichresults in their precipitation.

In a batch-scale, pilot embodiment, the microwave generating device ofthe magnetron 190 may be, for example, a household microwave (such asHamilton Beach Model P100N30ALS3B, 120V, 60 Hz, single phase, having anoutput of 1,000 W, 2,450 MHz). In larger-scale embodiments, largermicrowave generating devices can be implemented.

From the magnetron 190, the water can be pumped into the return tank 60.The return tank 60 may include a port 204 through which chemicals orsolutions may be added to the water. Since the spin of the electrons inthe outer or subatomic shell of the atoms within the water have beenaltered or reversed by the magnetron 190, the added solution can affectthe precipitation of the certain elements and contaminants in the water.In one embodiment, the solution added to the water via the port 204 maycomprise an acidic solution of ethyl diamine, tetra-acidic acid,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or citric acid, as is presentin, for example, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice and other citricfruits. The solution may also comprise distilled water. The volume ofthe various acids added to the water is dependent upon the type andamount of contaminants in the water. The addition of these acids candisrupt the polar covalent bonds of the polluted water. These acids actas chelating agents and bind metals together for further chemicalreactions.

The return tank 60 can also include a port through which the tank 60 maybe pressurized by a compressed gas, such as CO₂, O₂ or the like. Oxygenmay also be supplied to the water in the return tank 60. As mentionedabove, an increase in soluble oxygen in the water causes anaerobicbacteria to be destroyed, as anaerobic bacteria cannot survive in suchan environment. Therefore, the anaerobic bacteria are prevented fromgrowing and proliferating, which could have an adverse effect on thechemical processing of a frack well.

Further, the return tank 60 may include a float that, when reaching apredetermined level, will activate a pump and/or valve 58, which may bein communication with the second container 54, to transfer additionalwater into the return tank 60. The float system of the return tank 60may be, for example Model 21 or Model 221 manufactured by ITT McDonnelland Miller. The magnetron 190 may be wired in series with the pump 58such that when the pump 58 is activated, the magnetron 190 is activated.The return tank 60 can also include a pump 194 in communicationtherewith for pumping water into the boiler 62. When the boiler 62reaches a predetermined water level and requires additional water, thepump 194 is activated in order to pump water from the return tank 60 tothe boiler 62.

The boiler 62 may be any suitable boiler and, in the illustratedbatch-scale, pilot embodiment, is a Columbia Boiler Company CT-6/10Steam Boiler with PowerFlame JR-15A-10 Burner. The boiler 62 boils thewater to create steam, which then flows into a steam super heater 64.Whenever the system 10 is shut down, steam from the boiler 62 can bediverted to the blow down tank 206.

Once in the superheater 64, the saturated steam from the boiler 62 isheated to a temperature of between about 600° F. and 1,200° F. toprepare it for fractional separation. In one embodiment, the saturatedsteam is heated to a temperature of approximately 900° F. It will beappreciated that the superheater 64 may elevate the steam by 25° C. ormore.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the superheater 64 comprises an inner pipe 66located inside of an outer pipe 68, both of which may be constructed ofstainless steel or other suitable material. The inner pipe 66 caninclude a plurality of circular gaskets 70 for flame dissipation ofheat. A source of heat 72 can be inserted into a holder 74 attachedproximate an upstream end of the outer pipe 68. Advantageously, atemperature differential in the steam between the entrance 76 of thesuperheater 64 and its exit 78 is created. To measure this temperaturedifferential, thermometers 80 and 82 or other suitable temperaturemeasuring devices may be positioned at each end 76 and 78 of thesuperheater 64 and optionally at locations therebetween. In order tofurther distribute heat evenly throughout the length of the superheater64, a vacuum fan 84 may be connected proximate a downstream end of thesuperheater 64 as well. The fan 84 blows air through conduit 196, whichexhausts via conduit 198, thereby creating a vacuum at the downstreamend of the super heater 64 to pull heat from the heat source 72 throughthe super heater 64.

From the superheater 64, the superheated steam, which may beapproximately 900° F., passes into a fractional distillation separatoror column 86 through an inlet aperture 88 proximate a lower end of anouter shell 90. The fractional distillation column 86 is schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 6. The column 86 includes a plurality of internalplates or trays 92 having apertures 94 defined therethrough. Extendingupwardly from each aperture 94 may be a pipe 96. A dome-shaped cap 98may be welded or otherwise attached to a top end of each pipe 96. Thecaps 98 are configured for condensing elements by atomic mass units(amu). The condensed elements 100 a, 100 b, 100 c and 100 d may includeheavy metals and/or radioactive materials, such as radium-226,radium-228, uranium-238 and uranium-235, for example. The condensedcontaminants 100 a, 100 b, 100 c and 100 d flow out of the column 86 viaapertures 102 and are collected in one or more catch containers 104where they are stored for later removal, transportation and properdisposal. Other contaminates 106 may be discharged from the fractionaldistillation column 86 through a lower aperture 108 or bleed off port.The column outer shell 90, plates 92, pipes 96 and caps 98 may all beconstructed of stainless steel or another suitable metallic material.

Purified steam can flow from an outlet aperture 110 proximate an upperend of the fractional distillation column 86 to into a condenser or heatexchanger 112 that may include two or more condensing units 114organized in series or parallel for increased efficiency. The heatexchanger 112 may be a double pipe heat exchanger now known or hereafterdeveloped, a shell and tube type heat exchanger, or any other suitabletype of heat exchanger, and may operate similarly to heat exchangerscommonly known in the art. Like the other components of the illustratedsystem 10, the heat exchanger 112 may be scaled up for use in alarger-scale system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heated steam entersthe first end 200 of the heat exchanger 112, is transferred from thefirst condensing unit 114 to the second condensing unit 114, and thenexists the second end 202 of the heat exchanger 112. Cooling liquid canbe provided to the heat exchanger 112 and may flow in an arrangementthat is parallel to, counter to, or cross or perpendicular to the flowof the fluid (i.e., steam and/or water) being cooled and condensed. Uponexiting the heat exchanger 112, the fluid flowing therethrough has beencondensed from a steam to a liquid. Once condensed, the purified watermay be between about 85° F. and 110° F., for example.

Upon existing the heat exchanger 112, the water may be collected in atank 116, which may have three outlets 118, 120 and 122. A first outlet118 may be connected to a test tank 124 containing one or more livingorganisms, such as fish, for observation of the effects of the treatedwater on the living organisms in order to assist in monitoring theeffectiveness of the treatment process by allowing observation of theliving organisms' behavior and health in the treated water. A secondoutlet 120 can be connected to a line 126 that delivers the water backto the return tank 60 discussed above if it is determined thatadditional processing of the water is necessary for increasedpurification levels. At this point CO₂ or O₂ under low pressure may beinjected into the return tank 60 through a control orifice for chemicaladjustments of the polluted water. The water may be cycled through theboiler 62, superheater 64 and fractional distillation column 86 as manytimes as necessary to treat the water. Depending upon the flow rate ofwater entering the return tank 60 from the magnetron 190 and the flowrate of the water entering the return tank 60 from the return line 126,the float system may prohibit flow from either the magnetron 190 orreturn line 126. Typically, if the combined flow rates exceed thesystem's capacity, flow from the magnetron 190 is prohibited orrestricted if necessary. A third outlet 122 is connected to an exteriorfaucet 128 for connection to a tank truck or directly back to thefracking water supply system for reuse, if desired.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the configurationof one or more of the systems 10. Multiple water treatment systems 10,as described herein, may be placed in series or parallel. The system 10is readily scalable by adding similarly equipped trailers 12 to thesystem 10. When multiple trailers 12 are utilized, some of the system's10 components may be located on one trailer 12, while other of thesystem's 10 components may be located on other trailers 12. The watertreatment system 10 of the present invention may be centrally locatedfor use by multiple well sites. Furthermore, it will be appreciated thatthe system 10 of the present invention can be suitable for treating anywater, not just fracking water, flowback water and produced water fromhydraulic fracturing operations.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more of the water treatmentsystems 10 of the present invention may be centrally located for use bymultiple well sites 130 or locations. FIGS. 8 and 8 each depict an areaof land 132 that may consist of a plurality of square miles or sections134. In one embodiment, the area of land 132 includes twenty-four (24)square mile sections 134. Each section 134 can include one or more wellsites 130 having a well drilled thereon, as represented by sections 134a, 134 b and 134 c. In one embodiment, the area of land 132 includessixty-four (64) well sites 130; however, it will be understood that anynumber of well sites 130 may be located within the area of land 132.

As demonstrated in FIG. 8, a central water treatment facility or plant136 may be adapted and scaled for treating the contaminated water (e.g.,fracking water, flowback water, produced water, etc.) associated witheach of the well sites 130. The central plant 136 comprises one or moreof the systems 10 of the present invention and may be set up on amobile, temporary, semi-permanent or permanent basis, as desired. Thewater from each well site 130 may be transported to the central plant136 by any suitable means, including but not limited to, piping, trench,channel, tanker truck or railcar. As illustrated by the well sites 130placed on section 134 a, the water from each of the well sites 130 maybe transported to the central plant 136 via pipes 138, 140 and 142.Optionally, one or more satellite centers 144 and 146 are provided wherethe water may be collected from multiple well sites 130 for furthertransportation to a central plant 136. In one embodiment, the satellitecenters 144 and 146 may suitably equipped for undertaking a portion ofthe water treatment process prior to the water being further transportedto the central plant 136. The pipes 138 transporting the water from thewell sites 130 to the satellite centers 144 and 146 may be of onediameter (e.g., 4 inch), while the pipes 140 and 142 transporting thewater from satellite centers 144 and 146 to the central plant 136 may ofanother, larger diameter (e.g., 8 inch). As depicted in FIG. 8, the needfor disposal wells 148 can be eliminated, as represented by eachdisposal well 148 having an “X” placed thereon. In the example shown,twelve (12) disposal wells 148 are eliminated.

Upon the water being treated at the central plant 136, the water maytransported back to other well sites 130, for example via the pipes 142,140 and 138, for use in the fracking process at those other well sites130. In other words, the treated water may leave the central plant via apipe 142, arrive at a first satellite center 146, be directed from thefirst satellite center 146 to a second satellite center 144 via a pipe140, and then be directed from the second satellite center 144 to a wellsite 130 that is ready for fracking via a pipe 138. As such, the watermay be used at one well site 130, be treated at the central plant 136,and then used again at another well site 130 upon treatment.Alternatively, the treated water may be discharged from the centralplant 136 to a stream or other body of water or otherwise transportedfrom the central plant 136 upon treatment.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment wherein the central plant 136 islocated at the center of the area of land 132. Initial processingstations 150, which may in the form of a filtering truck for example,may be provided for initial treatment of the water prior to the waterbeing transported to the central plant 136. These initial processingstations 150 may take the place of, or be similar in nature to, thesatellite centers 144. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, theembodiment of FIG. 9 may also eliminate the need for disposal wells 148.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and iswithin the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of theinvention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it isalso to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and notlimiting. It will also be appreciated the components of the system neednot be in the order shown in the figures and described above. Rather,depending upon the water to be treated, the components may be aligned orarranged in a different order. In some embodiments, some of thecomponents may be bypassed if certain types of treatment are notnecessary. In other embodiments, the water may be cycled through one ormore of the components multiple times in order to achieve necessarypurification levels.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings arepresented by way of example only and are not intended to limit theconcepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has beenshown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As isevident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the presentinvention are not limited by the particular details of the examplesillustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that othermodifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur tothose skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similarterms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of“optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes,modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the presentconstruction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the artafter considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. Allsuch changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applicationswhich do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention aredeemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by theclaims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water treatment system comprising: a magnetronincluding a microwave generating device; a tube arranged for directingwater either through or adjacent to said microwave generating device,wherein an application of microwaves to the water alters a spin of atleast one electron in an outer electron shell of an atom of acontaminant contained in the water; and a port located adjacent saidmagnetron, said port being operable for permitting a solution to beadded to the water.
 2. The water treatment system of claim 1, whereinsaid tube is a generally clear plastic tube arranged to direct saidwater through said magnetron.
 3. The water treatment system of claim 1,wherein said magnetron alters an intrinsic angular momentum of said atleast one electron in said outer electron shell of said atom containedin said water.
 4. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein saidmagnetron reverses the spin of said at least one electron in said outershell of said atom contained in said water.
 5. The water treatmentsystem of claim 4, wherein, upon being subjected to said microwavesgenerated by said magnetron, a spin of an electron that is originally anup spin (m_(s) of +1/2) is reversed to a down spin (m_(s) of −1/2), anda spin of an electron that is originally a down spin (m_(s) of −1/2) isreversed to an up spin (m_(s) of +1/2).
 6. The water treatment system ofclaim 1, wherein said port is located downstream of said magnetron suchthat said solution may be added to the water after the water has passedthrough or adjacent to said magnetron.
 7. The water treatment system ofclaim 1, wherein said alteration in electron spin enables selectiveelements to be at least partially coated by said solution so that saidelements may be precipitated from said water.
 8. The water treatmentsystem of claim 1, wherein said solution comprises at least one of anacidic solution of ethyl diamine, tetra-acidic acid,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, lemon juice, orangejuice and lime juice.
 9. The water treatment system of claim 1, whereinsaid solution causes at least a portion of said contaminant toprecipitate from said water.
 10. A water treatment system comprising: afirst filter compartment containing filter material for removing atleast one of chloride ions and transmuted chlorine ions from water andfor absorbing neutrons from said water; and an absorptive manifold influid communication with said first filter compartment for absorbinghydrogen ions to reduce a pH of said water.
 11. The water treatmentsystem of claim 10, wherein said filter material comprises a firstfilter material for removing said at least one of chloride ions andtransmuted chlorine ions and a second filter material for absorbingneutrons.
 12. The water treatment system of claim 11, wherein said firstfilter material comprises at least one of coconut carbon, silicondioxide and ionized sand.
 13. The water treatment system of claim 11,wherein said second filter material comprises at least one of cadmiumand bismuth.
 14. The water treatment system of claim 10, wherein saidabsorptive manifold comprises an outer copper pipe, an inner copperplate or tube, and a plurality of fins extending from said inner copperplate or tube.
 15. The water treatment system of claim 10, wherein saidabsorptive manifold comprises a plurality of fins within its interior.16. The water treatment system of claim 15, wherein at least a portionof said fins are constructed of a material selected from the groupconsisting of gold, silver, palladium, nickel, zinc, tin, indium, andcopper.
 17. The water treatment system of claim 15, wherein at least aportion of said fins are adapted for absorbing hydrogen ions.
 18. Thewater treatment system of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of saidfins are adapted for altering at least one of a phosphate, a salt, anitrite and a nitrate from a reactive form to a nonreactive form. 19.The water treatment system of 10, wherein said absorptive manifoldincludes a conduit connected with an electromagnet.